A WOMAN has paid tribute to her brother, who died after falling from the Pier Hill lift platform in Southend.

Julie Liversidge, 44, from Cambridge, said Michael Liversidge ended his own life, leaving his family devastated.

The unemployed 41-year-old died on Thursday morning after falling on to Western Esplanade from the lift platform, bringing the seafront to a close.

He leaves behind two sisters and a girlfriend.

Miss Liversidge said there had been little to indicate he was in such a desperate state.

She said: “He was such a happy, bubbly person, with not a bad word to say about anyone.

“Our mum Doreen passed away in 1991, followed by our dad in 2006.

“I think that had an effect on him, but we are still trying to figure out what happened. We can’t understand why he would want to do that.

“He did have a bit of an argument with his girlfriend and the next thing she knew police were on the doorstep.

“We are all so shocked. He was so happy and bubbly.”

Miss Liversidge added: “We are trying to find out why he did it. How can someone jump 80ft?

He couldn’t have been feeling anything.” Miss Liversidge and her sister Pauline are waiting for their brother’s body to be released so they can arrange a funeral.

Police, who say there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Liversidge’s death, are preparing a report for the coroner.